Chisoxfn

The A's announcers said he was there, but they could of just been going off reports.

Agreed and to me its well documented that teams that play crappy defense don't win in the playoffs. You want to win in the playoffs, you need good pitching (We have that), you need good defense (Don't have it up the middle) and you need to play small ball (We have the abilities, but we have Gary Ward no preaching it or so thats what I've been reading).

I want a closer with attitude. It takes that special frame of mind to go out and get through all those pressure situations. I will stick to my guns and back Koch. I think he's gonna pull through and be an awesome closer for the SOX for a long time.

I'm liking this kittle idea. CW - In regards to Valentine when I look at this teams, their isn't once that I can say his team underachieved and thats why I like him as a manager. I can say JM's teams have underachieved. He's also had some over-achieve, but Valentine always gets the best out of his players.

Umm, wouldn't Jimenez basically get paid the same amount if Miles was up? Also, Jimenez was doing just fine in spring training too. One other key point is that Jimenez draws walks, and that is something a leadoff guy has to do and Miles has yet to show he can do that on a consistent basis.

I stick to my belief that it will be more of a group effort with Fontaine JR. doing the bulk of the work. Then in the offseason they will interview some candidates both within the organization and outside of it to find a replacement. Welome aboard Dick Allen. I'm with you, I don't know if the team will all of a sudden get better with KW gone, but if he is really calling all the shots I'm willing to give JM a quick little shot without KW at the helm. After that get Valentine or Backman in here pronto. Also like the idea of Fisk or Kittle, but lets be honest, no way is Fisk going to be working with JR, would he?

Well before everyone writes off Koch, lets remember that he was one of the best closers in baseball last year and he is still extremely young. He's been working his ass off with Cooper and they seem to of solved part of the problem and they believe he wasn't kicking off the rubber right.

I'm assuming it will be something that occurs at the very end of the week, but I'm sitting hear waiting to hear from HSC and Steff.

Cool. I bet the players were playing extra hard considering all those scouts were there. Then again I assume their are scouts at pretty much every game.

I read through it. Sounds like it will be really cool. I don't know one person in Europe. Hope you have a blast and come back home with the opportunity of watching the Sox in a penant race.

Williams was in Oakland. Any idea on why Evans was there? Are they playing one of the Dodgers affiliates? Sounds like our scouts were watching someone. Were one of the big pitchers on the mound?

Well for all their prospects that have suceeded or look to be, there are still guys like Farnie and Cruz that have dynamite arms and are struggling. Then Christensen, Chiasson, and Smyth have been injury riddle and they have really good arms as well. Lets not forget Bobby Hill completely falling on his face. I don't know if he picked things up, but for a long time he was hitting under .200 in AAA Iowa.

I know this is a rather down thread, cause the Sox are playing like Crap, but Cap, I love the avatar. Office Space is a classic.

Thats the one game I already have tickets too, so we'll definately meet up. It should be a blast, a lot of Sox fans will be there. We aught to have some type of gathering there.

He pitched brilliantly after the first.

No one in our organization is even close to being as good as Choi and I speak of that even with our golden boy Borchard. Borchard has the ability to be way better and at a more important position (Center) but Choi is a freaking stud. Great patience, fluid swing, really good defensively and massive power and he's doing it at the major league level already. Rogowski is all we got down there. Two years ago they thought really highly of him. Last year he had a wrist injury which really slowed him down, but if he picks up this year, he'll shoot back up to being one of the best position players in the organization. He's got some decent speed too, think he stole like 20 plus bases last year.

I'll have to meet up with you cause i'll be at every game or I should be.

Konerko has a good approach at the plate and thats why I don't worry too much about him. When he's healthy he crushes the ball to all parts of the field (His homers are typically pulled though)

I don't even want to think about next years lineup soley because if they suck this year, there isn't going to be a next year because almost anyone that is due money will be gone, imo. Buehrle won't be gone, but Colon would be and it would be shame not to have Colon and Buehrle at the top for a long time.

I've yet to figure that one out Cali. I keep calling for him to be called up to Birmingham who could really use some help at the top of the order. Plus Bham is playing Shaffer of all people at shortstop and he stinks. Get the duo of Reyes and Yan back together in AA.

You can hide it if Frank isn't a 3 hitter anymore, thats for sure.

Rip crede all you want, but the guy is still playing great defense. Offensively he will be fine. Had a basehit tonight and really looked a lot better at the plate. Seems to be coming out of his funk. Plus if I recall he's a slow starter typically or at least he was last year. I think he was doing pretty bad for the Knights early on and then just caught fire.

That would be sweet too. I'm with you. I think Konerko will be one of the better first baseman throughout his career. He's a great 5 hole hitter and Kotsay could move into the 2 hole pushing Jose back in the lineup giving the lineup more balance. Defensively we'd be much better. I'd still love to get rid of Frank for anything.

Wagner is filthy and my guess is he will be closing for the Red Sox if the Astros fall out of conention and even if they are in contention he may still be in Beantown. He's definately gone in the offseason though.

Very impressive. Its great to see him get back on track.